I am still working fulltime (hopefully for 8 more years) but starting to look to retirement. I am pretty busy right now but I do like to get out to my shop - which is a free standing 250 square foot building and is wired for 220volts - 20 & 30 circuits. About 15 years ago I purchased an older Delta Unisaw (made in Pittsburg, Pa) - then happened on to the short Beismyer Fence on clearance at Lowes. BTW all my tools are mobile and the TS is on a heavy duty mobile base welded by old neighbor. Here is my dilemma:
I have a free standing router table which is big - I don't use it alot and would like to get rid of it. I was thinking of putting a cast iron wing extension to replace the Beismyer wood extension on the right ride of my cabinet saw. Doing this would run about $400 for the extension and fence. Then probably add another $350 for a lift. But that would free up significant space - and my TS mobile base would hold the weight no problem. However, the Unisaw is only 1.5 hp (kind of small for a cabinet saw and I don't have the motor cover which would run me $200 if a want to have any dust collection at all - which will not be great since it was not designed that way back then. It has a splitter not a riving knife - which I believe is a significant improvement. However, I love the fact my saw is made when USA made products were still great - and I doubt in terms of quality any of the newer saws will be better made.
Around my area TS come up on a regular basis so I can probably find a newer saw with a riving knife and dust collection ready with a 3hp motor; e.g. Grizzly G0690 (perhaps $1000 lightly used). Or a Powermatic 2000 for $1800 (used). Anyway something with more updated dust collection and a riving knife and more than enough power. Maybe one with an router table already onboard for a few more dollars. I would hope to be able to use my current mobile base on any saw I buy.
I just don't want to drop $400 for the extension and $200 to get a motor cover and then in a couple of years regret no having 3hp saw with a riving knife. Do you guys think upgrading to a 3hp motor and a riving knife is worth it? Or should I just put the money into upgrades on my current Unisaw?
Assuming you think I should wait and find another newer saw on C/L any particular saws I should be looking out for?